Strawberry plant named ‘BG-4.352’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘BG-4.352’. This new strawberry plant named ‘BG-4.352’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its orange red to red fruit color, large fruit size, many seeds per berry, very early fruit production, small foliage, and heavy pubescence on the petioles and fruiting trusses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietynamed ‘BG-4.352’. This new variety is a result of a controlled crossmade in 2004 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry varietydesignated ‘PS-1269’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and strawberry varietydesignated ‘BG-414.065’ (a non-patented selection). Due to the combiningof the reciprocal seed lots, it is unknown as to which parent variety isthe seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. Thevariety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from acontrolled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the winter of2006. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated bystolons in both Siskiyou County, Calif. and San Joaquin County, Calif.The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years infruiting fields in Ventura County, Calif. This propagation hasdemonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein ascharacterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true-to-type throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘BG-4.352’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions ofthe central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides thehumidity and moderate temperatures needed to produce a strong, vigorousplant and maintain fruit quality during the winter and spring productionmonths.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘BG-4.352’, which in combinationdistinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Orange red to red fruit color;    -   2. Large fruit size;    -   3. Many seeds per berry;    -   4. Very early fruit production;    -   5. Small foliage; and    -   6. Heavy pubescence on the petioles and fruiting trusses.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related tothe new variety ‘BG-4.352’ is ‘BG-959’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,864). Inside-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry variety ‘BG-959’,‘BG-4.352’ differs by the following combination of characteristics asdescribed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ‘BG-959’ (U.S. Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’ Plant Pat. No. 17,864)Fruit: color Ranges from Red orange red to red Fruit: size (grams) 30.7(large) 27.2 (medium) Fruit: predominant shape Ranges from Conicalconical to cylindrical Fruit: insertion of Ranges from level Level withthe achenes with to below surface the surface Time of first fruit Veryearly Early production Plant: size Medium Ranges from medium to smallFoliage: color Medium Ranges from medium yellow green to dark greenFruiting truss: position Ranges from level Level with relative tofoliage with to above Fruiting truss: Strong Medium pubescence

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determinedfor this new variety.

‘BG-4.352’ differs from its parents, ‘PS-1269’ and ‘BG-414.065’ by thefollowing combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 ‘PS-1269’ (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’ No. 10,686)‘BG-414.065’ Type of Not remontant Partially remontant Not remontantbearing (short day) (summer bearing) (short day) Fruit size Large MediumSmall Plant size Medium Ranges from Large medium to large Fruit colorRanges from Red Red orange red to red

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance oftypical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘BG-4.352’ at variousstages of development, as true as it is reasonably possible with colorreproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightlyfrom the color value cited in the botanical descriptions whichaccurately describe the color of ‘BG-4.352’. The depicted plant andplant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘BG-4.352’ are approximatelyfive to six months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County,Calif.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘BG-4.352’, takenin the month of April 2014;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical leaf structure of‘BG-4.352’, taken in the month of April 2014;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘BG-4.352’,taken in the month of March 2014; and

FIG. 4 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristicsof ‘BG-4.352’, taken in the month of March 2014.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘BG-4.352’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety‘BG-4.352’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations inenvironmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity andlight intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, thecharacteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety includedin Tables 3 through 9 of the present invention may vary in detail,depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather(temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type andlocation.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following descriptionof the new variety ‘BG-4.352’, unless otherwise noted, are based onobservations taken during the 2014 growing season in Ventura County,Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of‘BG-4.352’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County,Calif. during early October 2013 and planted approximately four to fivedays later in Ventura County, Calif. The approximate age of the observedplants is five to six months. Yield observations and fruit qualitycharacteristics are averaged from five years of data collected from the2010 through 2014 growing seasons. Flower measurements andcharacteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruitcharacteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit, unlessotherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, London (2007).

The following Tables 3 through 9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage,fruiting truss, flower, and pest and disease characteristics of the newstrawberry ‘BG-4.352’.

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’ Color of maturefruit RHS 45A, ranges from orange red to red Color of internal flesh RHS45B, medium red Color of core RHS 39A, medium red Fruit length (cm)   4.7 Fruit width (cm)    3.9 Fruit size Large Fruit length/width ratio   1.20, ranges from slightly longer than broad to much longer thanbroad Calyx diameter (cm)    4.1 Average fruit weight (gm)   30.7 Achenecolor, shaded side RHS 153B, yellow green group Achene color,sun-exposed side RHS 182A, greyed red group Achene weight (mg)    0.42Average achenes per berry   583 Marketable fruit yield (gm/plant) 1,096Predominant fruit shape Ranges from conical to cylindrical Difference inshapes between Slight primary and secondary fruit Band without achenesAbsent or very narrow Evenness of fruit surface Even or very slightlyuneven Evenness of fruit color Even or very slightly uneven Fruitglossiness Medium Insertion of achenes Ranges from below surface tolevel with surface Position of calyx attachment Inserted Attitude ofsepals Outward Size of calyx relative to fruit diameter Same sizeAdherence of calyx (when fully ripe) Strong Firmness of fruit fleshRanges from medium to firm Distribution of red color of the fleshMarginal and central Hollow center expression Moderate Fruit flavor GoodSoluble solids (% Brix)    6.7 Time of first flower Very early Time offirst harvest Very early Harvest period January to June Harvest maturityEarly season Type of bearing Not remontant (short day)

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’ Plant height(cm) 15.1 Plant spread (cm) 30.8 Plant size Medium Plant habitSemi-upright Plant density Medium Plant vigor Medium

TABLE 5 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’ Stolon colorRHS 146D, yellow green group Stolon anthocyanin coloration RHS 180C,greyed red group Stolon anthocyanin intensity Medium Stolon pubescenceDense Attitude of hairs Slightly outward Average stolon quantity MediumAverage stolon diameter at bract (mm) 3.4

TABLE 6 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’ Foliage: Colorof upper surface RHS 146A, medium yellow green Color of underside RHS138B, green group Number of leaflets  3 Shape in cross section Rangesfrom slightly concave to slightly convex Interveinal blistering MediumLeaf glossiness Medium Leaf variegation Absent Terminal Leaflet: Length(cm)  5.6 Width (cm)  5.1 Leaf size Small Length/width ratio 1.09,longer than broad Shape of base Obtuse Margins (shape of teeth) Rounded(crenate) Serrations per leaf 20.7 Petiole: Petiole color RHS 144B,yellow green group Petiole length (cm)  8.7 Petiole diameter (mm)  2.8Petiolule color RHS 144B, yellow green group Petiolule length (mm)  7.8Attitude of hairs Strongly outward Petiole pubescence Ranges from heavyto moderate Stipule: Color RHS 146B, yellow green group Anthocyanincoloration RHS 58A, red purple group Anthocyanin intensity Medium Length(mm) 16.4 Width (mm) 10.8

TABLE 7 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’Anthocyanin coloration RHS 182C, greyed red group Anthocyanin intensityMedium Length at maturity (cm) 21.2 Position relative to foliage Rangesfrom level with to above Number of flowers Medium Pedicel attitude ofhairs Strongly outward Pubescence Strong Attitude at first pickProstrate

TABLE 8 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’ Petal color RHSNN155C, white group Sepal color RHS 137A, green group Receptacle colorRHS 147C, yellow green group Anther color RHS 13A, yellow group Corolladiameter (mm) 29.6, medium Calyx diameter (mm) 32.4 Petal length (mm) 9.7 Petal width (mm) 10.3 Petal length/width ratio  0.95, broader thanlong Petals per flower  6.0 Sepal length (mm) 10.6 Sepal width (mm)  4.7Sepal length/width ratio  2.26 Sepals per flower 11.6 Size of calyxrelative to corolla Larger Relative position of petals OverlappingStamen Present Size of inner calyx relative to outer calyx Ranges fromsmaller to same

TABLE 9 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS Characteristic ‘BG-4.352’ Powderymildew Moderately susceptible Verticillium wilt Moderately susceptibleAngular leaf spot Susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately susceptibleTwo-spotted spider mite Moderately susceptible

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘BG-4.352’, asherein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.